SmallBar - Fullerton (Reopened as Beer Bistro North)

No Longer In Business

I went here recently and was pretty impressed by their selection. A lot to chose from as far as bottles go. Not a lot on draft, but lots of bottles. Food was pretty good. I can see myself making this place a regular stop every now and then. Overall a pretty solid bar.

This might be the worst place in Chicago. Okay, it’s not that bad, the food is decenta nd the beer list is pretty solid. My beef is that it is very sterile and plastic feeling. The cavernous space is just kind of oppressive. It’s enough to keep me from going out of my way to return. But yeah, the beer list is pretty solid.

Of the 3 Small bars this is the biggest and most main stream for sure. Good location, nice neighborhood. Inside is huge, a wide open bar and table scene then a huge upstairs. Nice, new and clean looking all around. More of a club feel to me, not what I want out of a beer bar, not cozy, decorations consists of brick walls...The service was decent, pretty friendly but not overly knowledgable about beer. The quality and selection of beer is decent, not as good as division but well above average of the typical bar. Not a destination place but if your in the area stop by for dinner, just don’t expect a cozy or "beer" crowd.

I believe that this is the newest if of the Small Bar locations. Rather spacious, with a small patio in front and a balcony over the entrance. the bar stretches down the right side of the room and booths line the left side, with tables in the middle. Pretty solid selection overall, but not as good as a few of the other bars in town. Special cask beers on the weekends, which was a nice touch. What did impress me about this place while I was in town was the events that they had. Along with the other two Small Bars, they hosted the Stone Total tap Tower Takeover, which was an amazing event. Then they also did a small whiskey and beer pairing event which was really cool as well. As a relative newcomer to the scene, it looks like they are trying really hard at being a good beer bar, but also a soccer and general sports bar at the same time, so it always maintains that more generic bar feel despite the good beer selection.